Trauma teams

An ED consultant will be the TTL and should utilise the leadership and trauma experience of other speciality and ED consultants if present.  They will be present in advance of the patient arriving for all Enhanced and Code Red trauma teams.  The TTL should:

• Provide expert management of the trauma patient during resuscitative phase.
• Prepare the team prior to patients arrival.
• Manage the patient in the resuscitation room.
• Care for the patient during transport and CT.
• Handover care clearly.
• Remain hands off.
• Communicate clearly to the team.
• Decide which diagnostic and therapeutic interventions need to performed and in what order.
• Ensure accurate documentation in the medical record.
• Protect the safety of the trauma team.

All TTL must have completed and be up to date with TTL competencies.  (Please refer to this document).

• All nurses who participate in trauma teams must have completed level one trauma training.
• There must be a level two trained nurse present for all Enhanced trauma teams and Code Red trauma teams.
  

The following document describes the roles and responsibilities of the trauma team, please click here to access the document.

The trauma team leader will ensure there is thoracotomy availability in every Enhanced and Code Red trauma team.  This will be documented in the trauma booklet.

Trauma team leader checklist

The scribe should complete the Trauma team document.